Fast Food Chains Exploit Loopholes to Open Near Schools
Fast food chains such as KFC are exploiting loopholes in planning regulations to challenge local councils that attempt to prevent them from opening near schools, according to a report from the Commons health committee. The cross-party group of MPs is calling for a ban on new fast food outlets near schools and an end to junk food advertising on billboards and public transport to curb the obesity epidemic.
Obesity Crisis Costs UK £74bn Annually
The committee warns that bold action is needed as hundreds of initiatives implemented since 1992 have failed to address rising obesity levels. In England, 66% of adults and 28% of 13- to 15-year-olds are now overweight or obese. The report criticises the Labour government for not following through on pledges to introduce policies to tackle poor diets.
Loopholes Allow Takeaways to Be Classed as Restaurants
MPs say firms are exploiting ambiguities in the national planning policy framework, which allows takeaway outlets to be classified as restaurants rather than fast food premises. This has enabled successful legal challenges against council restrictions. The committee urges urgent clarification of what constitutes a hot food takeaway.
KFC Legal Actions Against Councils
The report highlights how KFC took legal action against 43 councils seeking to restrict fast food outlets near schools and won in more than half of those cases. In 2015, Gateshead council began restricting such openings and reported a reduction in childhood obesity locally.
Ban on Outdoor Junk Food Advertising
The MPs recommend a comprehensive ban on all outdoor advertising of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, including on billboards, buses, and trains. Approximately £680m is spent annually on advertising food and non-alcoholic drinks on television, radio, and outdoors.
Industry Response and Further Recommendations
The Advertising Association argued that advertising restrictions would not reduce obesity, citing research showing no long-term impact on BMI. However, the committee also recommends forcing supermarkets to prominently display fruit and vegetables, requiring front-of-pack traffic light labels on all food, and compelling food producers to disclose the proportion of healthy versus unhealthy sales. Ministers are urged to stand up to industry lobbying.
